A UK citizen has been sentenced to three months in jail in Dubai after “insulting” airport staff who were slow to bring his mother a wheelchair.

The unnamed man was originally issued a Dh 10,000 (£2,150) fine, but his appeal against this failed and his punishment was extended to a jail term on 6 November.

An airport employee told the court that the man swore at her after she had explained the airport’s wheelchair policy to him, telling him that “a wheelchair would be made available before boarding the bus”.

“When I tried to explain it to him, he insulted me using very bad language. I told the traveller that using such offensive language is not allowed at Dubai airport but he responded that he didn’t care.”

The employee then called the police, and a case was filed against the man in Dubai’s Criminal Court. Following an appeal, which he lost, the fine was escalated into a jail sentence, followed by immediate deportation.

  • Bobbettes@lemm.eeEnglish
    122·
    2 years ago

    “Why differentiate between physically abusing somebody and verbally?” Because of the obvious difference in severity. One insult doesn’t need medical attention, while a punch could put someone in the hospital.

    • 01011@monero.townOPEnglish
      322·
      2 years ago

      You are intentionally underplaying the importance of mental wellbeing to justify odious behavior.

      • GenEcon@lemm.eeEnglish
        62·
        2 years ago

        If someone insulting you causes harm to your mental wellbeing, you weren’t well in the first place.

        • 01011@monero.townOPEnglish
          210·
          2 years ago

          Words have power. Politicians wouldn’t talk if they didn’t. Adverts would be mute.

      • steakmeout@lemmy.worldEnglish
        51·
        2 years ago

        How’s the mental wellbeing of women and foreign workers in Dubai? Know many gay men who feel safe there?

        • stephen01king@lemmy.zipEnglish
          25·
          2 years ago

          Ok, so since women already feel unsafe there, they should be allowed to be verbally abused by tourists?